Stay Warm And Comfy Inside An Ice Fishing Fish House

By Leticia Jensen


Ice fishing used to be a sport for the rugged individualist. A few hearty souls, mostly male, sitting on buckets or in a small wooden shanty, dressed in coats and gloves, braving the cold. Times have changed. Now anglers can buy or rent an ice fishing fish house complete with heat, carpeting, kitchen appliances, and furniture.

Battery operated generators support TV's, ovens and microwaves, refrigerators, bathrooms, heated showers, stereo systems, satellite dishes, and fireplaces. When not being used as a fishing shelter, they can be placed in the woods for a hunting cabin. There are many choices of design with many options to choose from including vaulted ceilings and bay windows.

All shelters are built with several fishing holes cut into the floor. Traditional shelters are loaded onto ski-like runners and pulled onto the ice. Anglers must choose their spot carefully because they're difficult to move. Newer styles are transported on wheels. Hydraulic lifts place larger homes on the ice. Follow local regulations to be sure you're placing your shelter on thick enough ice to support the weight. Larger homes can weigh more than 6000 pounds.

Catching fish in the modern world uses high tech gear to find fish including sonar fish-finders, lake-mapping maps for smart phones, and underwater cameras. Rods that rattle when a fish is on the line let fishermen watch the game or enjoy a game of poker while while waiting for a bite. Bait minnows might be in a built-in aquarium, with another tank to hold the day's catch.

Lake side resorts rent ice fishing houses. Rent for a few hours, overnight, for the weekend, for the week. Rent a basic unit, heated but minus the TV and refrigerator. Or rent a deluxe home with all the amenities and sleeping quarters for 10 or 12. Resorts keep a close watch on ice conditions. They plow roadways. Renters can drive to the door of their temporary abode. Many also offer a shuttle service so renters can leave their car on shore.

Popular lakes sprout miniature cities during the ice fishing season from December through March. In 2013, anglers occupied over 5,000 shelters on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota. Resorts place satellite toilet facilities for use by anglers with basic shelters not including a private bathroom.

Areas with swift currents can have thinner ice surrounded by thick ice. A visual look can be deceptive. Offshore winds can break up ice leaving fishermen stranded on ice floes. A warming spell can cause weakness in the ice. Conditions can change quickly. Many cars, trucks, SUV's, snowmobiles, and fish houses fall through the ice every year. If you're setting your own house on the ice, consider insurance. Environmental laws require a speedy recovery that may require divers and a helicopter for hauling the lost house out of the water.

For a day trip, rent a basic model with heat, carpeting, and a comfy couch. If your new to the sport, a local guide can show you how it's done. Return to home or a local motel for the night. For overnight stays, high end homes contain beds, appliances, private bathroom and heated shower. Many lakeside resorts also provide hauling assistance for anglers wanting to get their own custom built house onto the ice.




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